15 Years of Harry Potter!

It’s been fifteen years since the release of the first book in J.K. Rowling’s record-breaking series, and interest has not died away. It’s truly stood the test of time, making the series an “official” classic.

~*Three cheers!*~

In honor of the 15th anniversary of the release of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Scholastic is giving the artwork for the entire series a makeover. 35 year-old American graphic artist, Kazu Kibuishi (a true Potter fan), has the honor of re-imagining the cover art for this iconic series. To read the full article go here.

For those of you who read the books back when they came out (read, a while ago), the following recap will refresh your memory.

The Harry Potter Series in Six Minutes

What’s your favorite Harry Potter moment?

What book, plot point, character, or scene (book or movie) in the series resonated most with you?

My favourite moment in the BOOKS, hands down, is in Prisoner of Azkaban when Harry realises Sirius Black is actually a good guy, and his godfather, and cares about him, and it means he has a family of sorts, someone who will always put Harry first. It brings to my eyes even now. The Prisoner of Azkaban is my favourite book too.

Yes, Harry meeting Sirius and realizing he is extended family and has always been loyal to Harry and his parents, is one of my favorite moments too. When I went back to reread the first book, I was in awe of Rowling’s foresight to mention Sirius in those first chapters. Hagrid delivers Harry to his relatives’ riding a motorcycle that belonged to Sirius!

I can’t believe it has been 15 years either. Wow! I’m always touched when Harry meets Hagrid for the first time and finds out that he is a wizard. I also love it when you find out the truth about Snape ~ I always knew he was good 🙂

Harry’s relationship with Hagrid is special, because we know immediately he’d do anything for Harry. Rowling’s crafting of Snape’s character is pure genius. I never thought he was evil, but I couldn’t figure out why he was so hard on Harry until we learned how Harry’s father and friend had bullied him. And that Snape was in love with Harry’s mother too… Very moving.

Like everyone else who has commented above, I can hardly believe 15 years has passed since the first book was published. I’ve always adored Dumbledore, how he looked out for Harry while teaching him things without banging him over the head with the life lessons. The first time I read the scene where he dies in the Half-Blood Prince, I cried. I cried again when I read it to my oldest and I’m sure I’ll cry again when I read it to my youngest.

I feel the same way about Dumbledore. I didn’t believe he was actually dead for the longest time. I couldn’t believe it, when it actually happened in the story because it was too horrible to imagine. It isn’t until later that we realize that he was going to die (from the horcrux wound), and that he sacrificed himself to protect Snape, and ultimately Harry. I am in awe of Rowling’s mastery of her craft.

I will have to re-read the series now that we’ve reached the 15 year anniversary. I’ll probably cry when Dumbledore dies this time, because I know it’s not a ruse. 😉

I first heard of ‘Harry Potter’ in 2000 at a dinner party. Checked out the first book. Got hooked…

Looking back, it seems incredible that it is just 15 years since the first one came out – Rowling’s mythos is so much a part of everyone’s consciousness across the western world. And who’d have ever believed, in a million years, that the Brit boarding school story genre could be transformed into something so appealing to so many? A wonderful tribute to Rowling’s abilities – and her doggedness as a writer, pushing ahead despite dozens of rejections (publishers all kicking themselves soundly now, of course…)

I didn’t discover Harry Potter until the third book was already in print, about the same time you did. And like you, after reading the first book I was hooked. From the fourth book on, I was one of the many who waited on their front porch on “release day” waiting for the Harry Potter package to arrive. I still think it is amazing that Rowling had the power to have all books delivered to everyone on the very same day!

I had pre-ordered the last book, and then a friend encouraged me to go to a “release party” at our local Indy bookstore that night. I purchased a ticket and got a book there at 12:01 am, and then my pre-order book came in the mail the next day. I’ve kept the pre-order book in it’s special Harry Potter release box, the way it arrived. Because I always want to remember the impact this one author had on the publishing industry. As well as on the world at large. 😉